When Joey Villar and I were initiated in 1981, the brods then inculcated to us that we could ALWAYS count on Betans. 

They would never leave you. NEVER!

Or so they say...

Nevertheless, I have always had that in mind. 

During the mid-90's, when the frat's mailing list had its "beginnings", I even mentioned  in one of my emails that "I would always trust my life with a Betan".

Norman Madrid '58 even laughed and told me that "I watched too many fairy tale movies", and that this was all bull... or words to that effect.

But in December 22, 2000 Mike Villanueva '59 proved Norman Madrid wrong.

There was a UP Barkada Golf Tournament on that day and as we all said our goodbyes, I then realized that I lost my car keys somewhere between Hole # 1 and Hole # 18. 

Exactly where, I do not know. 

So I had to ask one of the drivers in the office to bring me a duplicate key, as my personal car was under repair and I was temporarily using a company pickup truck.

I "guesstimated" that this will take about 2 or 3 hours of further waiting, and it was beginning to get dark.

There were only three vehicles left in the parking lot: mine, Vic (80) Ahorro's, and Mike Villanueva's.

Everybody else left.

I repeatedly told Vic and Mike that I would be okay and they should both leave me as the duplicate key was already on its way from Robinsons Galleria to Valley Golf in Antipolo.

But they wouldn't hear of it.

Either they wouldn't hear of it or they both could not hear me --- because we were all glued to the radio listening to Ms. Clarissa Ocampo recounting how she saw then President Joseph "Erap" Estrada sign documents as "Jose Velarde". 

Yep, that was the day --- that is why I will never forget it.

Brod Vic had to leave earlier when Selene already picked him up. Actually, he would want to leave either but I told him that I was going to be fine. 

Actually, if my memory serves me right, Selene was there earlier as she had to pick up Vic. They were already on their way home, but when Vic learned of my predicament, he went back to Valley Golf to keep me company. Tama ba, Vic? Parang ganito ang nangyari noon. 

I would like to thank Vic also, but I would rather reserve it on his Necro... hahahaha... joke lang Vic.. Maraming maraming salamat sa iyo! Isa kang tunay na kaibigan at kapatid!

I was telling Brod Mike the same thing: that the duplicate key was on its way to Valley Golf and everything was going to be alright with me. But all my words fell on deaf ears. 

He really wouldn't budge.

The impeachment trial hearings were already coming to a close when the driver arrived with my duplicate keys. 

To my surprise, the key would not start the car. 

It would not even open the doors.

It had to take a Mike VIllanueva to get his metal file (or "kikil") from his "magic clutch bag" and he started filing away the edges.

In a few minutes, the key did its job and Mike and I were on our way back to our homes.

He must have been a founder of the "Bukas Kotse Gang". Hahaha....

It was the only personal "encounter" I had with Mike. Of course, we always saw each other during stags, and the like. But this was different, this was "personal".

What the brods who initiated me taught me in words, Mike Villanueva showed me in actions.

And he didn't have to say it out loud.

But it was loud and clear to me: "A Betan Will Never Leave You. EVER!"

Thank you Mike. 

Indeed, that was a valuable lesson for me.



Danny A. Lopez '80